Immediate Roll-Out Of A Rapid Antigen Pilot Testing Programme For Aviation Sector Should Now Proceed
Chairperson of the Oireachtas Transport and Communications Committee has very much welcomed today’s direct clarification and confirmation he received from the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, in the Dail that the implementation of rapid antigen testing pilot programmes is decentralised to all Government Departments (including the Department of Transport), with supports to be provided by the newly established implementation antigen Working Group, headed up by Professor Mary Horgan along with the Department of Health.
In this context, the Committee has written to Transport Minister Eamon Ryan requesting the immediate roll-out of a rapid antigen testing pilot programme for aviation, with a specific commencement date.
This should include the immediate rolling-out of a pilot test for aviation route(s), which Aer Lingus have indicated to the Committee that they are willing to participate in.
The Committee has also communicated this request for rapid antigen testing pilot programme for aviation to; Professor Mary Horgan, Head of Rapid Antigen Testing Working Group & President of Royal College of Physicians in Ireland; Minister for Transport, Minster of State, Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton TD, Mr. Ken Spratt, Secretary General, Department of Transport, Professor Mary Horgan, Head of Rapid Antigen Testing Working Group & President of Royal College of Physicians in Ireland and Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD.
“Our Committee very much welcomes today’s direct clarification and confirmation from the Minister for Health, Sephen Donnelly TD, in the Dail that the implementation of rapid antigen testing pilot programmes is decentralised to all Government Departments (including the Department of Transport), with supports to be provided by the newly established implementation antigen Working Group, headed up by Professor Mary Horgan along with the Department of Health.
In this context, the Committee has this afternoon written to Transport Minister Eamon Ryan requesting the immediate commencement of a rapid antigen testing pilot programme for aviation, with a specific start date.
This should include the immediate rolling-out of a pilot test for aviation route(s), which Aer Lingus have indicated to the Committee that they are willing to participate in.
It is vital that the logistics and ICT systems for mass serial rapid antigen testing in aviation are put in place in line with the introduction of the EU Digital COVID Certificate (Digital Green Certificate) here.
No further time can be lost here as aviation is crucial to Ireland’s connectivity and competitiveness, supporting over 140,000 jobs, almost 40,000 of which are direct employment by the sector.
The Committee looks forward to further engaging with Minister Ryan and his Department shortly on the results of this pilot programme.”
